Diane Whittles, president of SERVPRO of Annapolis/Severna Park, was among three business owners to receive a Governor’s Citation in recognition of their contributions to Maryland’s small-business community and the community at large. Along with Carolina Seledes, CEO of ITnova, and Roy White, president of Diverse Concepts Inc., Whittles received the citation at the Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop held by the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. More than 70 business owners – including minority business owners, female business owners and veteran business owners – attended the event to learn how to do business with state agencies.

“Maryland is open for business, and these entrepreneurs have a big impact on the communities they serve,” said Jimmy Rhee, special secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. “We take the time to showcase some of the local superstars at each event as we move around the state. Their stories are both inspiring and motivational.”